Priest-in-Charge of
155-year-old Church banned from defending the Grade II Listed Building as
gravel extractions come within 100 metres
The
Revd Kate Lovesey, Priest-in-Charge, St. Peter’s Aldborough Hatch in the
Diocese of Chelmsford, was banned from addressing the Lond0n Borough of Redbridge
Planning Committee on the dangers to her church from gravel extraction amidst
uproar in the public gallery when church members and residents tried to
persuade the chairman to allow her to speak.
Gravel
extraction has taken place on Fairlop Plain over the past 50 years. When
workings moved closer to St. Peter’s, the water table changed, allowing the headstones
on many graves in the churchyard to topple over. Worse still was the fact that
some 20 years ago the walls of the church began to move outwards and had to be
secured by metal tie bars across the roof area.
Said
the Revd Lovesey: “Built in 1862 with bricks with a facing using stones from
the first Westminster Bridge, the church is fragile with no foundations, as was
the custom in Victorian times, nor an effective damp course.
“The
Parochial Church Council submitted its written objections but I was not allowed
to explain the very real danger to the structure as the workings will be within
100 metres and a water filled ditch with pumps going 24/7 will be even closer
within a few yards.
“There
was uproar in the public gallery when the chairman allowed only two objectors
to speak. Church members and residents were appalled at the lack of democracy
demonstrated by Councillors who were urged by Council Officers to deny me the
chance to speak.
“In
addition to concerns for the building, clinical and research evidence presented
by an NHS cancer consultant was omitted from papers before the committee. This
was a deliberate cover-up to mislead Councillors who were not advised that the
inevitable dust from the workings will increase mortality from cardiovascular
disease and lung cancer.
“I
feel ashamed of Redbridge Council. But we will monitor the building and if
there is the slightest hint of damage, we will insist that the Council and the
contractors pay for any work that needs to be done. We will protect this
building – loved not only by members of the church but by so many residents in
our multi-cultural community.”
Revd. Kate Lovesey
Aldborough Hatch Vicarage, Oaks Lane, Ilford, Essex IG2 7QN
Aldborough Hatch Vicarage, Oaks Lane, Ilford, Essex IG2 7QN
